An Alaska cruise is a dream of many who wish to enjoy the wonders of Alaska. Everything in Alaska seems bigger than in real life. Scenery, wildlife, culture, history and adventure beckon nature lovers to the Last Frontier. If you are considering a trip to this 49th state, we have our Complete Guide to Alaska Cruises from Vancouver to help with your cruise planning.
Complete Guide to Alaska Cruises from Vancouver
Cruising from Vancouver offers many advantages for sailing to Alaska. Ships take the Inside Passage as they cruise to the ports of Southeast Alaska and beyond. The waters are usually calm being protected from the open sea. Passengers may catch a glimpse of dolphins swimming along the ship, with a background of majestic mountains or lush rain forest. Additionally, calving glaciers are a highlight of any cruise to Alaska. Most cruise itineraries of at least one week in duration include a visit to a glacier.
Alaska Cruises From Vancouver Itinerary Options
From Vancouver, there are options to sail both a round-trip cruise and also one-way to Alaska. Doing a one-way trip on a cruise to Alaska allows the opportunity to explore areas of Alaska inaccessible by ship via a land tour add-on.
One of the highlights of many post-cruise land tours is Denali National Park. This may also be done in the reverse direction by flying into Alaska first and returning by cruise ship from Alaska back to Vancouver. With a round-trip cruise, there will be no possibility to extend your stay in Alaska.
A post-cruise tour can be arranged independently or through the ship. Several of the cruise lines have their own lodges, making planning a simple task. Whether you plan to add a land tour or will simply tour by cruise ship, there is no better time to visit Alaska on a cruise from Vancouver.
However, before you even consider cruising from Vancouver – or any other Canadian port for that matter, please review entry requirements if you are not a Canadian citizen. Almost any conviction makes one ineligible for entry into Canada. For example, a DUI is considered a felony in Canada. Do your research in advance.
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Where Do Ships Dock in Vancouver for Alaska Cruises?
Many cruise lines set sail from Vancouver to Alaska each season. The Alaska cruise season generally starts in April and ends in October. Canada Place is the pleasant cruise port for ships in Vancouver. This three-berth terminal can service up to four cruise ships at one time. Further, it is conveniently located in the heart of Vancouver’s waterfront with nearby hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
If you traveled from Vancouver prior to 2014, you may have sailed from the decommissioned pier of Ballantyne.
Getting to Vancouver
There are lots of options for getting to Vancouver to start your cruise to Alaska.
Some think it’s cheaper to fly to Seattle and take a bus or train. Be sure to account for the additional time – about 4 hours – and the costs when considering these options.
The bus stations are not at Sea-Tac airport, so consider the time it takes to get from the airport to downtown Seattle to catch a bus. Actually, the bus ride from Seattle to Vancouver might take longer than your original flight to Seattle.
It is also possible to take a ferry to Vancouver from Seattle, but that requires several transfers and also takes time.
Remember that you will have luggage with you. One real disadvantage of the bus is having to unload luggage at Customs and Immigration.
How far is Vancouver airport from the cruise port?
Vancouver’s airport is located in Richmond, approximately 15 miles from Canada Place. It takes about about 34 minutes by car to reach the port depending on traffic. The transportation options from the airport include shared rides, taxis, bus, and the popular SkyTrain.
For any of your transportation options, look for the directional signs in the airport. If you need assistance finding your way to your preferred method of transportation, look for the customer care volunteer ambassadors. They are the ones wearing the green vests or jackets.
Getting to the Canada Place from the Airport Using SkyTrain
The SkyTrain goes to the Waterfront Station near Canada Place and takes about 25 minutes from station to station. Trains run about every 7 minutes from the airport. When leaving from the airport, there is an additional $5 surcharge added to the fare. Fares vary depending on the time of day. At non-peak times, the base fare starts at $4.45. Children under 12 travel for free, and there are discounts for seniors. SkyTrain runs from the airport between 5:07 a.m. and 12:56 a.m. Public transit providing services from the airport can accommodate wheelchairs.
From International Arrivals follow the signs. The station is on top of a parking garage. Watch for signs directing you to the Canada Line of SkyTrain. Once you reach Waterfront Station, you will need to walk less than 10 minutes to the cruise ship terminal.
To do that: Go out the main doors of the Waterfront Station. Turn right following Cordova St. Turn right again at Howe St. Turn left onto Canada Place.
Shared Rides from Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Canada Place Cruise Terminal
Lyft, Uber, and KABU are authorized to pick up at three areas at the airport: International Arrivals, Level 2; Domestic Arrivals, Level 2; and South Terminal.
Cruise Line Transport
From the Domestic Arrivals area on Level 2, cruise ship representatives can direct you to the proper boarding area. For guests arriving internationally, representatives will be found in the International Reception Lobby. If you have arranged transport with your cruise line, you will receive information from them with specific instructions.
Taxi
From the airport, taxis charge a fixed-rate by zone. Canada Place Cruise port is in Zone 9 and the 2023 fare is CA$38. Find taxis on Level 2.
How do you get to the Vancouver Cruise Port from Seattle?
By Bus
Most buses on the route from Seattle to Vancouver leave from King Street Station or the nearby bus terminal in Seattle. Many buses arrive at Pacific Central Station in Vancouver. Some Quick Shuttle routes stop at the Waterfront SkyTrain Station in Vancouver, which is very convenient to the Canada Place Cruise Port.
- Amtrak Thruway Connecting services offers a bus from King Street Station in Seattle to Pacific Central Station in Vancouver. The journey has no stops along the way and takes 3 hours and 15 minutes to reach Vancouver.
- FlixBus departs from several spots in Seattle including Sea-Tac. The buses arrive at two destinations in Vancouver – Pacific Central and Burrard. Depending on the starting point, the journey will take around four to five hours.
- Quick Shuttle leaves from SeaTac and takes between five and six hours. The bus stops at the Canada Place Cruise Port.
- Greyhound also offers service that takes about 4 hours and arrives at the Pacific Central Station.
By Train
Amtrak Cascades leaves from King Street Station in Seattle and other stations as it makes its way to Vancouver. The trip takes 4 hours to arrive at Pacific Central Station in Vancouver.
By Car
Renting a car and driving to Canada Place is always an option.
By Ferry
This method takes longer and involves several transfers, but for somebody with the time, it’s an alternative for getting to Vancouver from Seattle.
No matter how you arrive in Vancouver, it’s always a good idea to arrive at least a day prior to your cruise departure.
Which Cruise Lines Cruise from Vancouver to Alaska?
The Port of Vancouver welcomes upwards of 900,000 passengers each year as the homeport for many Alaska cruises. Thus, you will find cruise ships from most cruise lines sailing to the region from Vancouver. From larger family-friendly ships to smaller luxury cruise lines, and even adventure travel and expedition ships, the options are vast.
Schedules and itineraries vary from season to season, but this guide is a handy starting point for planning your cruise to Alaska from Vancouver in the next few seasons. (RT= Roundtrip, OW= One Way)
| Cruise Line | RT | OW | Number of Nights |
| Celebrity Cruises | x | x | 6-9 |
| Cunard | x | 7-12 | |
| Disney Cruise Line | x | 5-9 | |
| Holland America Line | x | x | 5-18 |
| Hurtigruten | x | 12-18 | |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | x | 7-15 | |
| Princess Cruises | x | x | 4-14 |
| Regent Seven Seas | x | x | 7-18 |
| Royal Caribbean | x | x | 6-8 |
| Seabourn | x | x | 7-14 |
| Silversea Cruises | x | x | 7 |
| Viking | x | 10 | |
| Windstar Cruises | x | x | 9-20 |
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Best Cruise Ships Offering Alaska Cruises from Vancouver
As you can see, there are a variety of cruise lines sailing from Vancouver. So, depending on your preferences, there is bound to be a perfect Alaska cruise ship for you and your family.
Princess Cruises has three ships sailing from Vancouver, BC offering a variety of one-way and round-trip itineraries, including Sapphire Princess, Crown Princess, and Grand Princess.
Similarly, Holland America Line has several ships with a variety of itineraries. Koningsdam and Volendam offer round-trip cruises from Vancouver stopping at popular ports. Other ships in the fleet, including Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam, sail Northbound and Southbound one-way cruises from Whittier, Alaska and Vancouver.
Disney Wonder is the only DCL ship offering Alaska cruises in 2023. Additionally, Royal Caribbean has two ships sailing from Vancouver in 2023. With Brilliance of the Seas offering round-trip cruises and Radiance of the Sea offering one-way cruises.
Sister brand Celebrity Cruises also offers cruises from this homeport. Celebrity Eclipse sails round-trip from Vancouver, while the newly updated Celebrity Millennium alternates one-way itineraries from Seward, AK or Vancouver.
Other options include one-way voyages on Norwegian Spirit, which recently underwent a major refurbishment. Not to mention, luxury cruisers with extra vacation time can choose from longer voyages on vessels like Viking Orion, Silver Muse, or Seaborn Odyssey.
How Much Do Alaska Cruises from Vancouver Cost?
There are so many variables to consider when trying to determine the cost of an Alaska cruise. Cabin type, cruise line, and time of year factor into the cost. Additionally, Alaska does tend to have higher taxes and fees than other destinations. Good values are often found during the shoulder seasons.
In our analysis, Alaska cruises from Vancouver, BC do not differ meaningfully in price from those departing from Seattle, WA.
Typically, we recommend cruisers budget around $2,000 to $5,000+ per person for total Alaska cruise costs. Keep in mind, some ships might be more desirable than others, and cruises leaving at peak times of the year are more money regardless of the departure point.
How Long Are Alaska Cruises from Vancouver?
Cruises range from 4-night sampler cruises with just one port of call in Alaska to extended cruises of 21 days. However, the most common is a 7-day roundtrip Alaska cruise from Vancouver. It’s also possible to lengthen the time and experience in Alaska by adding a land tour to the cruise portion.
Typically, a one-way cruise takes a week from Vancouver to the Anchorage area, where the two nearest ports are Whittier or Seward. Then, three to seven nights is the average length of land tours. If heading to Denali, the land tour will often end in Fairbanks. There are other options for a land tour as well, such as one to the Kenai Peninsula, which would end in Anchorage.
Of course, if you book your land tour independently, you can spend as much time as you like exploring the interior of Alaska. Alaska Railroad and Knightly Tours both offer itineraries for the independent traveler.
Where Do Alaska Cruises from Vancouver Go?
Alaska cruises from Vancouver typically sail the Inside Passage calling at some of the popular ports in Southeast Alaska. Many itineraries include ports like Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Icy Strait Point. A few cruise lines call at lesser visited, but equally interesting ports, like Haines, Sitka, or Valdez.
Glacier Bay National Park
Cruising to see the glaciers is a highlight of any cruise to Alaska. Some ships cruise into Glacier Bay National Park. Only a few permits are offered on a daily basis to limit the number of large ships in the park. Cruise lines like Holland America and Princess, which have been cruising Alaska for decades get more permits than other cruise lines.
The excursion into Glacier Bay is usually a full-day affair. Park rangers board the ships with displays, books and souvenirs of the experience. They are available to answer questions and also provide commentary.
Other Glaciers
Outside of Glacier Bay, cruise ships do sail to other areas where passengers are able to see glaciers. For example, Dawes and Hubbard Glaciers are popular attractions on Alaska itineraries. Most sailings to Alaska include at least one viewing of a glacier.
Once in viewing range, the captain often will rotate the ship so that everybody gets a chance to view the glacier. The captain always has the last say about proceeding to see a glacier. If conditions are not safe, the captain may turn the ship around.
Should conditions not permit glacier viewing, don’t forget that there are shore excursions that include glacier viewings or even glacier landings. Mendenhall, outside of Juneau, and Exit Glacier, just outside of Seward, are easy to visit.
When to Cruise to Alaska from Vancouver
Alaska is worth cruising anytime during the cruising season. Early in the season, there may be more snow in the mountains giving a totally different experience. Temperatures may be cooler as could be the case in the fall. The weather may also be clearer.
Cruising in the early or late season offers different opportunities: fares may be lower, weather may be clearer, whales may be migrating, and the Northern Lights may be visible.
So, the best time to cruise to Alaska is truly an individual decision based on what you want out of the trip.
What to Pack for a Cruise from Vancouver
Remember the adage that there is no bad weather, just poor clothing. Pack in layers. Be ready to adjust to stay comfortable. Waterproof and breathable materials are recommended. Don’t forget hats and gloves. But, don’t forget clothes for warm weather. Alaska can get hot!
Don’t worry, we have you covered with our complete Alaska cruise packing list.
Exploring Vancouver
Vancouver is a popular destination with many attractions. For nature lovers, there are outdoor areas like Stanley Park with its totem poles. Granville Island has a public market. Richmond Night Market is popular, and neighborhoods like Gastown are worth visiting. Those interested in indigenous culture should visit the UBC (University of British Columbia) Museum of Anthropology.
When sailing away from Vancouver, get on a deck to take in the scenery along the way. The ship will pass by Stanley Park, a lighthouse, and sail under Lions Gate Bridge. From there, you will be on your way to more scenic views and the great state of Alaska. You will soon be enjoying the wonders of the Tongass National Forest, the largest intact rain forest in the world.
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Comments
Do you have any other helpful tips to add to this guide on Alaska cruises from Vancouver? Have you sailed to the Last Frontier from this Canadian homeport? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences cruising to Alaska.
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